Boeing is scheduled to launch the Starliner spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The unmanned launch comes after two other failed attempts to send the spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) over the past three years.
Both Boeing and NASA are hoping that the third time is a charm.
Starliner to Launch from the Space Force Station
Since 2020, NASA astronauts have been relying on SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft to reach the ISS successfully, but they've insisted that it is also important that they have the Boeing spacecraft flying too.
NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana said during a live-streamed event on Wednesday, May 18, that they want the dissimilar redundancy between SpaceX and Boeing so that if there is a problem with one, they can still maintain access to their International Space Station.
NASA ended its own space shuttle program back in 2011, with plans to rely more on the nascent commercial space industry, according to ZDNET.
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In 2014, the government agency awarded two major contracts to launch their plans. The first contract gave Boeing $4.2 billion to build the Starliner, while the second contract granted SpaceX $2.6 billion to build the Crew Dragon.
Meanwhile, before NASA's Commercial Crew Program or CCP was fully operational with the assistance of SpaceX, NASA astronauts relied on the Russian Soyuz program to go to the ISS.
Both SpaceX and Boeing planned unmanned test flights back in 2019, but only the Crew Dragon made it to the ISS.
Boeing launched the Starliner in December 2019, but the spacecraft had to return to Earth before docking at the Space Station because of software glitches.
In 2021, the Starliner's second launch was paused because of issues with its valve system, according to Wired.
OFT-2 Mission
The unmanned test flight called the Orbital Flight Test (OFT) mission is key to ensuring the vehicle is ready to carry a crew to the Space Station.
Boeing's OFT-2 mission is slated to launch on Thursday, May 19, at 6:54 p.m. Eastern Standard Time with the help of an Atlas 5 rocket provided by the United Launch Alliance.
The OFT-2 mission is designed to test the launch together with ULA, and it is designed to test the Starliner's rendezvous with the ISS, the spacecraft's ability to locate the ISS, and the dock.
After the spacecraft docks, it will power down, and the crew currently on the ISS will go inside to test communications back to mission control and other systems.
While the Starliner won't be carrying any passengers, it is carrying about 500 pounds of cargo for the ISS. It also brings an astronaut mannequin named Rosie, which should provide insight into how well the spacecraft should carry astronauts.
The Starliner will return to Earth with almost 600 pounds of cargo, including reusable Nitrogen Oxygen Recharge System or NORS tanks that gives breathable air to station crew members. The entire mission will last about five days, according to The New York Times.
How to Watch
Prelaunch activities, launch, and docking will air live on NASA Television, the NASA website, and the NASA app.
The liftoff is scheduled for 6:54 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on May 19 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA Television will begin streaming coverage of the launch at 6:00 p.m.
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Written by Sophie Webster
